Carcinoid of the Larynx

Abstract

CARCINOID tumors are primarily thought of as tumors of the appendix and small intestine, but they have been shown to arise from almost any tissue derived from the primitive gut, including its respiratory diverticulum, and in teratomas of the ovary.^1-5Bronchial adenomas of the carcinoid type have been frequently reported.⁴To the best of our knowledge there has not been a case of carcinoid tumor of the larynx previously reported. The cell of origin is thought to be the enterochromaffin or Kulchitsky cell normally found singly throughout the gastrointestinal tract.³ Carcinoid tumors are potentially malignant neoplasms; the course of the disease may, however, be quite long even after the development of distant metastases. Carcinoid tumors of nonappendiceal sites are known to be more malignant and metastasize more freely than those of appendiceal origin.⁶The treatment of choice is wide surgical resection of the primary and as